Container stabilizing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A glass container undergoing inspection is stabilized with two tapered rolls which engage a rim portion thereof. The container is rotated by a drive wheel which engages one edge of the container heel. One tapered roll holds the container in contact with the drive wheel. The other, diametrically opposed tapered roll holds the opposite side of the container heel at a generally fixed elevation above a slide plate by providing a balancing reaction force to the forces exerted by the first tapered roll and the drive wheel. Both tapered rolls are spring loaded and pivotally mounted to allow forcing a glass container into engagement with them as the container enters the inspection position.

United States Patent [191 Dunham et a1.

[ CONTAINER STABILIZING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: James A. Dunham, Godfrey; August J. Federle, Alton, both of 111.; Thomas B. Sorbie, Toledo, Ohio [73] Assignee: Owens-Illinois, lnc., Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 15, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 442,859

[44] Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no.

[52] U.S. C1. 198/19; 198/22 B; 250/223 B [51] Int. Cl. B23Q 5/22 [58] Field of Search 209/73, 74, 72, 111.7,

209/1l1.6, 82, 80; 198/22 B, 22 R, 19;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,327,849 6/1967 Sorbie 209/11 1.7 X

[ Nov. 11, 1975 3.557.950 l/1971 Powers 209/11 1.7 3.587.815 6/1971 Sorbie 198/22 Primary E.\'aminer-Allen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or FirmS. M. McLary; E. J. Holler [57] ABSTRACT A glass container undergoing inspection is stabilized with two tapered rolls which engage a rim portion thereof. The container is rotated by a drive wheel which engages one edge of the container heel. One tapered roll holds the container in contact with the drive wheel. The other, diametrically opposed tapered rollholds the opposite side of the container heel at a generally fixed elevation above a slide plate by providing a balancing reaction force to the forces exerted by the first tapered roll and the drive wheel. Both tapered rolls are spring loaded and pivotally mounted to allow forcing a glass container into engagement with them as the container enters the inspection position.

11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 3,918,570

2 3 9 4 4 2 6 5 3 f f w 8 2 1 4 6&1 w MW 0 5 2 i E O M VI 0 n J a l mm 6 4 FIG. I

US. Patent, Nov. 11,1975 Sheet2of2 3,918,570

FIG. 2

CONTAINER STABILIZING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to the inspection of glass containers. More particularly, this invention relates to the stabilization of glass containers during the inspection process. Specifically, this invention relates to the use of a pair of tapered rollers to stabilize a glass container being driven by a drive wheel under one edge of the heel of the container.

The use of rotary, indexing type inspection machines to inspect glass containers is well known in the art, as typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,409 and 3,327,849. These machines are quite efficient in detecting defective containers using optical inspection techniques. However, increasing speeds have made the raising of the container on a rotating pad at each inpsection station undesirable. A heel drive system has been utilized which rotates the container in station with raising the container. That is, the container is simply forced into contact with a rotating drive wheel as it enters the inspection station. However, this proved to be an unstable configuration and the dual tapered rolls of the present invention were devised to solve this problem. The tapered rolls stabilized the container during inspection and were easily displaced by the container during entry to and exit from the inspection station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our invention is an improvement in apparatus for inspecting glass containers. In this apparatus, containers are moved in series to and through an inspection station. In the station, a portion of the container heel is exposed to viewing by inspection equipment positioned below through an opening formed in a container bottom supporting slide plate. The containers are rotated about their vertical axis during inspection by engagement of the heel of the container with a rotating drive wheel at the inspection station. The improvement is in a means for holding the container in contact with the drive wheel while maintaining the container axis substantially vertical. A first tapered roller is rotatably mounted about a generally horizontal axis. The first roller is positioned above the drive wheel and engages the inner surface of a rim portion of the container with its tapered surface to hold the container against the drive wheel. A second, substantially identical tapered roller is positioned in substantially diametrically opposed relationship to the first roller. The second roller is also mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The tapered surface of the second roller likewise contacts the inner surface of the container rim and steadies the container during rotation, while preventing movement of the upper end of the container out of a generally central position with respect to the inspection station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, partially in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The apparatus of the present invention is a part of an inspection machine for the inspection and gauging of glass containers. The machine with which the present invention is utilized may be seen in US. Pat. Nos. 3,313,409 or 3,327,849, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The particular inspection station with which the apparatus of the present invention is used, is one in which the heel or lower portion of a glass container is inspected for checks or small flaws with optical inspection equipment. This basic type of equipment and form of inspection are well known in the art and therefore need no further discus- As illustrated in FIG. 1, glass containers 10 are indexed from inspection station to inspection station in engagement with a pocketed starwheel 12. While only one starwheel 12 has been shown, typically a plurality of stacked pocketed starwheels are used to ensure proper stability of the glass containers 10. The glass containers 10 are slid along a slide plate 14 which extends around the entire circumference of the inspection machine in question. At the particular inspection station illustrated in FIG. 1, two openings 15 and 16 are cut through the slide plate 14. When the glass container 10 has been indexed into this particular inspection station, optical inspection equipment has a line of sight through the inspection openings 15 and 16 which allows a view of a substantial portion of the bottom portion of the glass container 10. This allows inspection of the bottom portion of the glass container 10 for small cracks or checks as they are [known in the glass container art. A third opening 18 is also formed in the slide plate 14 at this inspection station to allow a rotating drive wheel 20 to extend above the elevation of the slide plate 14 (see FIG. 2). The drive wheel 20 is driven from a conventional drive source, not shown, and engages the bottom of the glass container 10 to cause the glass container 10 to rotate and thus present all of the circumference of the bottom of the glass container 10 in front of the inspection openings 15 and 16 to thus allow an inspection of the complete circumference of the glass container 10. This particular type of drive varies from that conventionally shown in the prior art, in that such inspection stations normally have a rotating pad or disc which raises the glass container 10 slightly in the station and then rotates the glass container 10 while it is held above the level of the slide plate 14. The particular type of drive mechanism shown in FIG. 1 allows a less complex machine to be built thus somewhat reducing the cost of manufacture. In addition, it has been found that this particular type of drive mechanism results in inspection accuracy which is no less than that obtained by the prior art drive systems. However, this type of drive system presents a problem in that the tendency of the glass container 10 is to rub on the slide plate 14 while it is being rotated and likewise wobble somewhat thus failing to present a consistent target for the inspection apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention provides this necessary stabilizing function. A horizontal rod 22 extends across the bottom check inpsection station and may be supported by any form of a suitable vertical support column, not shown, which may be attached to the machine frame. The horizontal rod 22 is positioned at an appreciable distance above the glass container 10 and attached thereto and extending downwardly toward the glass container 10 is a first clamp bar 24 and a second clamp bar 26. The clamp bars 24 and 26 are of a typical design which has a split formed therein that allows movement of the clamp bars 24 and 26 to any desired position relative to the length of the horizontal rod 22. Locking screws 28 and 29 may be tightened to hold the first and second clamp bars 24 and 26 in any desired position. Each of the clamp bars 24 and 26 have a rock arm, respectively 30 and 32, joumaled at the lower end thereof. The rock arms 30 and 32 are attached to the clamp bars 24 and 26 such that they are free to pivot back and forth. The rock arm 30 has a roller carrier portion 34 which extends inwardly toward the glass container 10. Likewise, the rock arm 32 also has a roller carrier portion 36 which also extends inwardly toward the glass container 10. The rock arm 30 also has a vertically extending stop rod portion 38 attached thereto. The general configuration of the rock arm 30 is thus that of a somewhat modified L-shape with the stop rod portion 38 and the roller carrier portion 34 formed in the shape of an L with the pivot point of the rock arm 30 being at the juncture of these two portions. Likewise, the second rock arm 32 also has a vertically extending stop rod portion 40. Note that the stop rod portions 38 and 40 as shown in FIG. 1 are actually threaded rods which are screwed into their respective rock arms 30 and 32. However, the stop rod portions could be made as an integral part of the rock arms if so desired. Attached to the first clamp bar 24 and extending inwardly toward the glass container is a first spring attachment bar 42. The first spring attachment bar 42 has its end bent to form a hooked portion for the attachment of the coil spring thereto. Likewise, a second spring attachment bar 44 is attached to the second clamp bar 26 and extends toward the first spring attachment bar 42. The two spring attachment bars 42 and 44 are substantially identical to one another. A coil spring 46 is attached to the stop rod portion 38 of the rock arm 30 and the bent end portion of the first spring attachment bar 42. A second coil spring 48 is attached to the stop rod portion 40 and the bent end portion of the second spring attachment bar 44. The net effect of the springs and their attachments is to bias the rock arms 30 and 32 into a generally downwardly directed position. However, the force of the springs 46 and 48 is deliberately kept relatively low so that a glass container 10 may overcome this biasing force without great difficulty. A first stop plate 50 is attached to the first clamp bar 24 and extends generally to a position in alignment with the stop rod portion 38. A second stop plate 52 is attached to the second clamp bar 26 and extends to a similar position with respect to the stop rod portion 40. A threaded stop screw 54 is threadably engaged with the first stop plate 50 and extends therethrough to contact the stop rod portion 38 and thus prevent the rock arm 30 from assuming a position too far removed from the desired elevation of a glass container 10. A lock nut 56 may be used to hold the stop screw 54in any desired adjustable position. A second threaded stop screw 58 is engaged in the second stop plate 52 and cooperates to stop the movement of the stop rod portion 40 in a similar manner as that described with respect to the stop rod 38 and the first threaded stop screw 54. A lock nut 59 may be used to hold the threaded stop screw 58 in any position in which it is set. Attached to the extreme outboard portion of the roller carrier portion 34 of the rock arm 30 is a rotatably mounted tapered roller or stabilizing roll 60. A second tapered roller or stabilizing roll 62 is similarly mounted on the extreme outboard portion of the roller carrier portion 36 of the rock arm 32. The two stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 are designed to perform the stabilization and guiding function of the glass container 10 previously described, while the glass container 10 is being guaged. The precise configuration of the stabilizing rolls and 62 may be seen more clearly with respect to FIG. 2.

With respect to FIG. 2, it should first be realized that the stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 are essentially identical to one another. Therefore, the description of the precise configuration of one of these rolls will serve as a description of both. The stabilizing roll 60 has two distinct tapered portions 64 and 65 of a generally frustoconical shape which are separated by a relatively fiat central portion 66. The two tapered portions 64 and 65 both taper toward the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing roll 60. The angle of inclination is preferably on the order of 10, although a range of angles of from 5 to 30 is workable. It will be noted that the tapered portion 64 of the stabilizing roll 60 engages a rim portion 68 of the glass container 10. The rim portion 68 defines an open mouth of the glass container 10 in which both the stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 are positioned. A corresponding tapered portion of the stabilizing roll 62 is also engaged with the rim portion 68 of the glass container 10 substantially diametrically opposed to the stabilizing roll 60. The precise configuration of the stabilizing roll 60 thus described is partially a matter of convenience. That is, as may readily be seen inFIG. 2, only the tapered portion 64 is actually necessary to provide the stabilizing function required. However, in order to allow smooth entry of the stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 into the open mouth of the glass container 10 when the glass container 10 is being moved into the inspection station, the second reverse tapered portion 65 is also provided. The central portion 66 is provided to avoid the formation of sharp comers which would rapidly be worn down in use and perhaps lead to inaccuracies in centering. Thus, the two tapered portions 64 and 65 allow a stabilizing roll of a fairly wide width which does not extend extremely far into the open mouth of the glass container 10 thus leading to entrance and exit problems. This allows the movement of the rock arms 30 and 32 when the glass container 10 is moved into station to be fairly small, thus ensuring smooth entrance and exit of the glass container 10. It may be realized that as the glass container 10 is moved into the inspection station by the pocketed starwheel 12, the stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 will force their way into the open mouth of the glass container 10 thus causing the rock arms 30 and 32 to pivot. Once the stabilizing rolls 60 amd 62 have completely entered the open mouth of the glass container 10, the rock arms 30 and 32 will assume the positions shown in FIG. 2. In this position notethat the stop screw 54 is not touching the stop rod portion 38 of the rock arm 30. Conversely, the stop screw 58 is contacting the stop rod portion 40 of the rock arm 32. This relationship is quite important in ensuring proper container stabilization and may be explained as follows: the glass container 10 has one portion of its lower or heel area 70 resting on the drive wheel 20. The drive wheel 20 is rotating and thus has a tendency to rotate the glass container 10 outwardly away from the pocket of the pocketed starwheel 12. The stabilizing roll 60 exerts a downward force on the glass container 10 thus tending to hold it into contact with the drive wheel 20. However, this would not be sufficient to prohibit movement of the glass container 10 away from the influence of the drive wheel 20, at

the rim portion 68 of the glass container 10. However,

if unrestrained, this stabilizing rolls 62 could exert enough downward force on the glass container to force the portion of the heel 70 of the glass container 10 opposite the drive wheel 20 into contact with the slide plate 14. This is undesirable because once again the glass container 10 would be out of vertical alignment and additionally the contact of the heel portion 70 with the slide plate 14 is undesirable, since the slide plate 14 may be of a metallic material which could impart abrasions to the glass container 10 thus causing a weakening effect. In addition, repeated contact of a grinding nature of glass containers 10 with the slide plate 14 in such a location would lead to a rapid wearing of the slide plate 14 in this location. Thus, when the glass container 10 is in its proper position the two stabilizing rolls 60 and 62 hold the glass container into contact with the drive wheel 20 so that it is rotated and also will hold that portion of the heel 70 of the glass container 10 which is not in contact with the drive wheel in a fixed horizontal plane above the slide plate 14 for consistent and accurate rotation. As a final note with respect to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the stabilizing roll 62 is mounted on a shaft 74 which is mounted in the roller carrier portion 36 of the rock arm 32. The shaft 74 carries bearings 76 on which the stabilizing roll 62 is mounted for rotation. The stabilizing roll 60 is mounted to its roller carrier portion 34 in an identical fashion.

What we claim is:

1. In an apparatus for inspecting glass containers wherein the containers are moved in series to and through an inspection station where a portion of the container heel is exposed to viewing by inspection apparatus positioned below through an opening in a container bottom supporting plate and wherein the containers are rotated about their vertical axis by engagement of the container heel with a rotating drive wheel located at the inspection station, the improvement in holding the container in engagement with the drive wheel and maintaining the container axis substantially vertical during such engagement which comprises:

a first rotatably mounted tapered roller positioned in contact with an inner edge of a rim portion of said glass container at a location generally above said drive wheel; and

a second rotatably mounted tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim portion at a location substantially diametrically opposed to said first tapered roller.

2. The improvement of claim 1 further including means for biasing said first and second tapered rollers in a downward direction.

3. The improvement of claim 2 further including stop means for limiting the downward movement of said first and second tapered rollers to a pre-selected maximum downward location.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second tapered rollers is of a generally frustoconical shape and wherein the angle of taper of said first and second tapered rollers is between 5 and 30.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first and second tapered rollers each further include a reverse tapered portion connected thereto, said reverse tapered portions tapering inwardly toward one another.

6. Apparatus for controlling the rotation about its vertical axis of a glass container, having an open mouth defining a rim, at an inspection station by engagement of the heel portion of the container with a rotating drive wheel, comprising, in combination:

a first tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim vertically adjacent the location of said drive wheel;

a second tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim at a location substantially di-. ametrically opposed to that of said first tapered roller; and

means for rotatably supporting said first and second tapered rollers.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including means for biasing said first and second tapered rollers in a downward direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including stop means for limiting the downward movement of both said first and second tapered rollers to a pre-selected maximum downward location.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said first and second tapered rollers is of a generally frustoconical shape and wherein the angle of taper of said first and second tapered rollers is between 5 and 30.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said first and second tapered rollers comprises:

a horizontal rod extending across the open mouth of said container at an elevation above said open mouth;

a first clamp bar, attached to said horizontal bar and extending downwardly therefrom, on one side of said open mouth;

a second clamp bar, attached to said horizontal bar and extending downwardly therefrom, located substantially diametrically opposed to said first clamp bar;

a first rock arm, pivotally mounted on said first clamp bar, extending toward said open mouth;

a second rock arm, pivotally mounted on said second clamp bar, extending toward said open mouth;

a first shaft, mounted on said first rock arm, carrying a bearing upon which said first tapered roller is mounted; and

a second shaft, mounted on said second rock arm, carrying a bearing upon which said second tapered roller is mounted.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and said open mouth. 

1. In an apparatus for inspecting glass containers wherein the containers are moved in series to and through an inspection station where a portion of the container heel is exposed to viewing by inspection apparatus positioned below through an opening in a container bottom supporting plate and wherein the containers are rotated about their vertical axis by engagement of the container heel with a rotating drive wheel located at the inspection station, the improvement in holding the container in engagement with the drive wheel and maintaining the container axis substantially vertical during such engagement which comprises: a first rotatably mounted tapered roller positioned in contact with an inner edge of a rim portion of said glass container at a location generally above said drive wheel; and a second rotatably mounted tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim portion at a location substantially diametrically opposed to said first tapered roller.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 further including means for biasing said first and second tapered rollers in a downward direction.
 3. The improvement of claim 2 further including stop means for limiting the downward movement of said first and second tapered rollers to a pre-selected maximum downward location.
 4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second tapered rollers is of a generally frusto-conical shape and wherein the angle of taper of said first and second tapered rollers is between 5* and 30*.
 5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first and second tapered rollers each further include a reverse tapered portion connected thereto, said reverse tapered portions tapering inwardly toward one another.
 6. Apparatus for controlling the rotation about its vertical axis of a glass container, having an open mouth defining a rim, at an inspection station by engagement of the heel portion of the container with a rotating drive wheel, comprising, in combination: a first tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim vertically adjacent the location of said drive wheel; a second tapered roller positioned in contact with the inner edge of said rim at a location substantially diametrically opposed to that of said first tapered roller; and means for rotatably supporting said first and second tapered rollers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including means for biasing said first and second tapered rollers in a downward direction.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including stop means for limiting the downward movement of both said first and second tapered rollers to a pre-selected maximum downward location.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said first and second tapered rollers is of a generally frusto-conical shape and wherein the angle of taper of said first and second tapered rollers is between 5* and 30*.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said first and second tapered rollers comprises: a horizontal rod extending across the open mouth of said container at an elevation above said open mouth; a first clamp bar, attached to said horizontal bar and extending downwardly therefrom, on one side of said open mouth; a second clamp bar, attached to said horizontal bar and extending downwardly therefrom, located substantially diametrically opposed to said first clamp bar; a first rock arm, pivotally mounted on said first clamp bar, extending toward said open mouth; a second rock arm, pivotally mounted on said second clamp bar, extending toward said open mouth; a first shaft, mounted on said first rock arm, carrying a bearing upon which said first tapered roller is mounted; and a second shaft, mounted on said second rock arm, carrying a bearing upon which said second tapered roller is mounted.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second tapered rollers each further include a reverse tapered portion connected thereto, said reverse tapered portions tapering inwardly toward the center of said open mouth. 